PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

No. 35/2003

11-17 Sep. 2003

Israeli Forces escalate war crimes in the OPT

This week, Israeli occupying forces perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including willful and extra-judicial killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolition and arrests. They also seized more Palestinian land for the purpose of the construction of the separation wall. They continue to maintain a total siege on the OPTs. This week, 5 Palestinians, including a child and an old man, were killed and a number of others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.

This morning, Thursday, 18 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces, supported by helicopters, moved into Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip to arrest Jihad ‘Ezzat Abu Swaireh, 34, allegedly wanted by Israeli forces. They surrounded his house and seized a neighboring house, using it as a military site from which they opened fire at Abu Swaireh’s house. Israeli forces called on Abu Swaireh through a megaphone to surrender, but he remained inside to resist the Israeli forces, while his wife and children left the building. Soon after, Israeli helicopter gun-ships attacked the house, killing Abu Swaireh who was reportedly within close proximity to the house and Israeli soldiers ordered one of his relatives to identify him. They then planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it, leaving Abu Swaireh’s body amongst the rubble of the building. A number of neighboring houses were severely damaged and Abu Swaireh’s father and brother were wounded in the incident.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, on Tuesday morning, 16 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces committed another assassination, which left dead Ahmed Fawzi ‘Abdul Latif Abu Doush, 25, from Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They also destroyed his house, leaving 5 families homeless. Israeli occupying forces claimed that they killed Abu Doush as he attempted to escape. They further claimed they surrounded the house and called on members of an armed Palestinian cell, who were hiding inside the house to surrender, but an exchange of fire occurred, during which time Israeli soldiers shot Abu Doush dead as he attempted to escape.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 8 incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed a number of Palestinian houses. This week, Israeli occupying forces completely or partially destroyed 40 Palestinian houses in Rafah near the Egyptian border, leaving more than 350 Palestinians, mostly children, homeless.

This area of Rafah adjacent to the Egyptian border has witnessed the largest number of house demolitions in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of Palestinian homes in Rafah since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada; in most cases the justification given was "security." In reality, the facts on the ground indicate that these demolitions represent a strategic policy to clear a large area of Palestinian land near the border with Egypt to facilitate a wide buffer zone that increases Israeli military control in the area. In particular, Israeli forces have begun construction of a concrete and metal wall parallel to the border with Egypt on land cleared of Palestinian homes in similar demolition operations.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian controlled areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling and shooting. They raided houses and arrested a number of Palestinians. This week, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child and an old man, were killed by Israeli occupying forces in Ramallah and Nablus.

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces continued to take retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets. In this context, they destroyed 7 Palestinian houses in the West Bank and 1 in Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, bringing to the total to 8.

While the international community and the United Nations Security Council are caught up in the debate over the Israeli decision to deport President Arafat from the OPTs, Israel continues to execute plans to annex yet more Palestinian land in violation of international law. Israeli occupying forces continued to build the separation wall in the West Bank, issuing new orders concerning the confiscation of land privately owned by Palestinians. Israeli forces warned a number of Palestinian civilians that property standing in the way of the proposed path of the wall or within close proximity to it will be destroyed. On Thursday, 11 September 2003, the Israeli security cabinet decided to hasten construction of the wall.

Israeli media sources had revealed an Israeli plan to build the separation wall from the area surrounding “Alkinah” settlement, east of Qalqilya, in the north to Hebron mountain in the south. The wall is to extend from the aforementioned settlement to the area surrounding ‘Ofra camp southwest of Ramallah. Another sector of the wall extends from the south of Jerusalem to “Karme Ma’on” settlement, south of Hebron. There is an ongoing debate within Israel as to whether or not to include “Ariel” settlement in the northern West Bank, which lies 20 km inside Palestinian territory.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the OPTs, especially in the West Bank, restricting movement of Palestinian civilians. On 7 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT and prevented all Palestinians from entering Israel

Israeli occupying forces have also restricted movement at border crossings in the Gaza Strip. Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip has been closed for 2 weeks, denying thousands of Palestinians access to their places of work in Israel. On 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Mentar crossing, the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The crossing was reopened on the following day.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces continued to impose a strict military siege on Palestinian communities. This week, they declared Ramallah a closed military zone, preventing Palestinian civilians, Israeli, Palestinian and international peace activists and international delegations from entering the town to express solidarity with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat against an Israeli decision to deport him. Thousands of Palestinian patients, employees, school and university students were unable to reach hospitals, work, schools and universities.

Shelling of, and Encroachment into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces demolished 16 houses in block L of the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces moved into the camp, and began the demolition operation under cover of Israeli gun and tank fire. The demolitions left more than 160 Palestinian civilians, mostly children, homeless. These latest victims are added to the thousands of other Palestinian civilians made homeless when their houses were demolished in similar Israeli military operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

This area of Rafah has witnessed the largest number of house demolitions in the Gaza Strip. Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of Palestinian homes in Rafah since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada; in most cases the Israeli authorities cite “security concerns” as a justification for the demolitions. In reality, the facts on the ground indicate that these demolitions represent a strategic policy to clear a large area of Palestinian land near the border with Egypt and to facilitate a wide buffer zone that increases Israeli military control in the area. In particular, Israeli forces have begun construction of a concrete and metal wall parallel to the border with Egypt on land cleared of Palestinian homes in similar demolition operations.

According to PCHR's investigations, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including 4 bulldozers, and under cover of intense shelling, moved into Block L of Yibna refugee camp in Rafah. Immediately, the Israeli military bulldozers began to demolish Palestinian houses without giving residents the opportunity to evacuate belongings. At the end of the operation, 10 Palestinian houses had been totally demolished, and 6 others had been partially destroyed. 35 Palestinian families have been left homeless. Following are details of the demolitions:

1. They totally demolished a 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Husni Hamdan Abu Taha, in which 26 people (4 families) lived.

2. They totally demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Ata Ahmed Shaqfa, in which 7 people lived.

3. They totally demolished a 175-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Yousef Abu Ziada, in which 16 people (3 families) lived.

4. They totally demolished a 90-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hassan Marzouq Abu Jazar, in which 8 people lived.

5. They totally demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fatema Isma’il Abu Jazar, in which 8 people lived.

6. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Anis Mohammed al-‘Arja, in which 13 people (2 families) lived.

7. They totally demolished a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mahmoud Mohammed al-‘Arja, in which 16 people lived.

8. They totally demolished a 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamdan Mohammed al-‘Arja, in which 25 people (4 families) lived.

9. They totally demolished a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamda Hamad Radwan, in which 22 people (3 families) lived.

10. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Bahaa’ Mohammed Radwan, in which 4 people lived.

11. They partially demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Khaled Sa’id Radwan, in which 9 people (2 families) live.

12. They partially demolished a 170-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hassan Suleiman Radwan, in which 26 people (5 families) live.

13. They partially demolished an 80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Ali Hassan Radwan, in which 8 people live.

14. They partially demolished a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Amin Khalil ‘Omar, in which 10 people live.

15. They partially demolished a 220-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamda Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Aal, in which 18 people (3 families) live.

16. They partially demolished a 90-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ahmed ‘Ali Shaqfa, in which 1 person lives.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” and “Gadid” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Nimsawi neighborhood and the areas of Baten al-Samin and the cemeteries to the east. A Palestinian civilian, Lafi Hamad Tabasi, 43, was wounded by a live bullet in the thigh while he was inside his house, approximately 500m away from the source of fire.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They partially destroyed a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Abdul Hai Marzouq Salama al-Sha’er. Four people lived in the house.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at al-Amal neighborhood and Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Majed Mohammed Hassan Abu ‘Ouda, 42, was wounded by a live bullet in the back while he was walking approximately 300m away from the source of fire.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They destroyed the remainders of a house owned by ‘Abdul Hai Marzouq al-Sha’er, which they had partially destroyed on the preceding day. They also partially destroyed a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Rezeq Salama Suleiman al-Sha’er, in which 36 people (3 families) lived.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 150m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. Under the cover of intense gunfire, they destroyed the remainders of a house owned by Rezeq Salama Suleiman al-Sha’er, which they had partially destroyed on the preceding day. Then, they leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land, which they had already razed. They also demolished an agricultural room owned by ‘Emad Musbah Sha’ban al-Najjar.

Early in the morning, Israeli occupying forces moved into al-Yassamina neighborhood in Nablus. They opened fire at Palestinian houses, killing an elderly Palestinian man.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 02:00, 12 Israeli military vehicles moved into Nablus through its western entrance. They moved forward and surrounded al-Yassamina neighborhood in the old town. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Israeli soldiers raided a number of houses, including the house of Khaled al-Zhaher, whom they detained together with his family in one room. At approximately 03:15, Fathi Mahmoud Hussein Bulbul, 85, woke up. He tried to get up and leave his bed to find a more secure place in his bedroom that overlooks al-Zhaher’s house. Immediately, Israeli soldiers opened fire at him. He was hit by live bullets and fell on the bed. He cried for help. His son, Bashar hurried to offer him help, but he was not able to enter his father’s bedroom as Israeli soldiers were still shooting. He called for an ambulance, but due to the intense Israeli gunfire in the area, the ambulance crew was not able to attend to the wounded old man until 04:00, when he was dead. According to medical sources, he was hit by two live bullets in the neck and the chest.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 300m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. They partially demolished 8 Palestinian houses, claiming to be searching for underground tunnels. The incursion lasted until 05:00. The Israeli occupying forces demolished the following homes:

1. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Majdi ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Sha’at, in which 10 people live;

2. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hammad Mohammed Sha’at, in which 5 people live;

3. A 270-square-meter, 3-storey house owned by Yahia Ahmed ‘Ayash, in which 31 people (7 families) live;

4. A 210-square-meter house owned by Ibrahim Yousef al-Najjar, in which 9 people live;

5. A 270-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Abdul Wahab al-Zatma, in which 9 people live;

6. A 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ra’ed Zaki al-Jazzar, in which 7 people (2 families) live;

7. A 250-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mahmoud ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Jazzar, in which 30 people (5 families) live; and

8. A 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Abed Hassan al-Jamal, in which 9 people live.

In the morning, Israeli occupying forces demolished 4 houses, 2 sheds and a cow farm and destroyed 2 water tanks in Wadi Houra area in the southeast of Hebron. The demolitions took place in order to facilitate the expansion of pre-existing illegal Israeli settlements.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 07:00, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by 3 bulldozers, moved into the areas of al-Baqa’a and Wadi Houra in the south of Hebron. They demolished 4 houses, 2 sheds and a cow farm and destroyed 2 water tanks:

1. They demolished a 100-square-meter house, in which 7 people lived, and a 300-square-meter shed used for agricultural purposes owned by Jamal Ahmed al-Tawil.

2. They demolished an 80-square-meter house, in which 5 people lived, and destroyed a water tank owned by Nabil Mohammed al-Hanjouri.

3. They demolished a 50-square-meter uninhabited house owned by Mowaffaq Ahmed al-Tawil.

4. They demolished a 200-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Mohammed ‘Abed al-Rujbi, in which 20 people (4 families) lived.

6. They demolished a 200-square-meter shed used for agricultural purposes owned by ‘Emad Mohammed Jadallah al-Rujbi.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupying forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian students protesting an Israeli Security Cabinet decision to deport the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The students began to throw stones at Israeli soldiers positioned outside the aforementioned settlement. Seven students were wounded by Israeli gunfire:

2. Tariq ‘Abdullah Abu al-Hussain, 17, hit by a live bullet in the right foot;

5. Mohammed Ibrahim al-Sheikh ‘Ali, 17, hit by a live bullet in the left thigh;

At approximately 18:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces infiltrated into Ras al-‘Ain neighborhood in Nablus using a minibus that had a Palestinian registration. Soon, 20 Israeli military vehicles moved into the city to sustain the undercover unit. They surrounded the house of Bashar Tabila, 37, and opened fire at neighboring houses. A Palestinian civilian, Bassel Zuhdi Bashir ‘Ali, 27, from Jenin, was wounded by shrapnel in the left shoulder. Upon their withdrwal from the city, Israeli forces arrested Tabila, claiming that he was wanted for his activities in the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a military wing of the Fatah movement.

In the evening, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces shot dead a Palestinian child, when they fired at a number of Palestinian children demonstrating near Qalandiya Airport, north of occupied Jerusalem.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 16:30, dozens of Palestinian boys protesting an Israeli Security Cabinet decision to deport the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat demonstrated on a hill opposite to Qalandya military checkpoint, north of al-Ram village. The boys threw stones at Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoint. At approximately 19:00, a number of Israeli soldiers began to chase them. Immediately, a number of the boys fled towards al-Ram village, while others fled towards Jerusalem-Ramallah road. A child ran towards the west, and when he saw Israeli soldiers chasing him, he was apparently scared, so he ran towards the southeastern fence of Qalandya Airport. Immediately, an Israeli soldier fired at him from a distance of approximately 70m. He was wounded by a live bullet. Israeli soldiers carried him to the aforementioned checkpoint without offering him any medical aid. At approximately 19:50, a Palestinian ambulance passed by the checkpoint. When it stopped to be checked by Israeli soldiers, its medical personnel saw the child. They asked Israeli soldiers to allow them to evacuate the child to the hospital, but the child was dead. The ambulance removed the body to Ramallah Hospital, where he was identified as Ahmed Nayef Taha Abu Latifa, 13, from Qalandya refugee camp. According to medical sources, he was hit by a live bullet under the left arm, which exited the right side.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, moved approximately 200m into al-Salam neighborhood, adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. They surrounded a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Fathi ‘Ali Mohammed ‘Abdul ‘Aal. Its 68 residents had already evacuated it as it had been partially destroyed by Israeli forces. Then, Israeli soldiers planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. During this incursion, Israeli soldiers raided a 250-square-meter, 2-storey house owned by Tawfiq Hashem al-‘Ashi. They held its 15 residents in the first floor, made holes in the walls of the second floor and opened fire at the surrounding area.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 200m into Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land that they had already razed. They also razed the following areas of agricultural land:

1. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and palms and destroyed an irrigation network, owned by Nizam Khamis Khalil Shaat.

2. They razed a 2-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Ahmed al-Masri.

In the morning there was another Israeli attack on Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel. Israeli soldiers intercepted a Palestinian ambulance in Nablus and fired a sound bomb at it. The front window of the ambulance was destroyed.

According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 10:30, while an ambulance of the Medical Scientific Society was traveling on Faisal Street in Nablus coming from the eastern part of the city, the driver was surprised by a tank and 2 military jeeps of Israeli occupying forces coming from a branch road and blocking the road in front of the ambulance. Without warning, Israeli soldiers fired a sound bomb at the ambulance. As a result, the front window of the ambulance was destroyed and the medical personnel were placed under great stress.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved approximately 500m into Palestinian agricultural areas located to the north of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. The bulldozer immediately started to uproot palm trees belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture on the main road, Salah al-Din Street. In an operation that lasted until midnight, 10 palm trees were uprooted.

In another attack on Palestinian property along the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, Israeli occupying forces moved into Rafah refugee camp, destroying or damaging 13 Palestinian houses. The Israeli forces claimed to be searching for tunnels. The demolitions expand the existing Israeli controlled “buffer” zone on Palestinian land along the Egyptian border.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:00, 13 Israeli heavy military vehicles, including a number of bulldozers, moved approximately 200m into Salah al-Din Street in Block K in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. During this 4-hour incursion, they destroyed 2 Palestinian houses totally and 11 others partially:

1. They totally destroyed a 200-square-meter house owned by Hassan ‘Awadh Mohammed Barhoum, in which 9 people lived.

2. They totally demolished a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Munira ‘Awadh Hamed Barhoum, in which 7 people lived.

3. They partially demolished a 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hassan ‘Abdullah Barhoum, in which 5 people (2 families) live.

4. They partially demolished 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Salman Hassan Barhoum, in which 8 people live.

5. They partially demolished 180-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Na’im Ahmed ‘Abdullah Barhoum, in which 10 people live.

6. They partially demolished 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Ahmed Hamdan Mousa Barhoum, in which 6 people live.

7. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Sabri ‘Abed Shuraiqi Barhoum, in which 8 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

8. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Eyad Ahmed Hamdan Barhoum, in which 3 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

9. A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Sa’id Suleiman Barhoum, in which 6 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

10. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Na’im Sa’id Suleiman Barhoum, in which 3 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

11. A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Hamdan Joma’a Mohammed Barhoum, in which 10 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

12. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Isma’il Joma’a Ahmed Barhoum, in which 8 people live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

13. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Abu Qamar, in which 15 people (2 families) live, was partially destroyed as a result of the destruction of the first house.

At midnight, 12 Israeli soldiers raided a 2-storey Palestinian house owned by ‘Ezziddin Ibrahim al-Haddad, located approximately 150m to the north of “Kfar Darom” settlement, southeast of Deir al-Balah. They held the 11 residents of the house in one room and searched it. Then, they mounted the roof and used it as an observation point. After 4 hours, the Israeli occupation forces left the house.

At approximately 17:25, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations between “Gani Tal” and “Neve Dekalim” settlements, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Khan Yunis refugee camp. A Palestinian civilian, Mazen Sa’di Budair, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli heavy military vehicles, including 4 bulldozers, moved approximately 300m into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under the cover of intense shelling, they destroyed 2 Palestinian houses:

1. They destroyed a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by Majdi ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Sha’at, in which 10 people lived.

2. They destroyed a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned by ‘Abdul Qader Rashid Hussein al-Jamal, in which 10 people lived.

The electricity and telephone networks of the area were severely damaged by this destruction.

In an apparent willful killing, in the morning, Israeli occupying forces shot a Palestinian in Nablus and left him bleeding to death. According to eyewitnesses, these forces could have used less lethal means against the victim.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 03:00 an infantry unit of Israeli occupying forces moved from al-Tour Mount, south of Nablus, into al-Qarioun neighborhood in the old town. An infantry unit of the Israeli occupying forces mounted the roof of a 3-storey house in the area owned by Ahmed Soufan. At approximately 03:30, Fadi Kamal Saleh Abu Zant, 22, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a military wing of the Fatah movement, came out to confront the Israeli forces. While he was walking towards the area where Israeli forces were present, Israeli soldiers positioned on top of Soufan’s house opened fire at him without warning, wounding him. He fell to the ground and immediately, an Israeli force of 3 armored personnel carriers and 11 military jeeps arrived at the area to cover the withdrawal of the infantry unit. They surrounded the area and denied ambulances access to the wounded man. At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the area. A Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees ambulance tried to evacuate the victim, but he was already dead. The body was removed to Rafidya Hospital. According to medical sources, the victim was hit by 8 live bullets in the right shoulder, the chest, the pelvis, the thighs and the feet. It is worth noting that the victim’s brother, Ayman Abu Zant, was killed by Israeli occupying forces on 16 February 2003, during an operation into Nablus to arrest Tayseer Khaled, a member of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization.

At approximately 17:25, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Gadid” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at the Baten al-Smin area. A Palestinian civilian, Ibrahim Khader ‘Abdul Salam, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen.

At approximately 17:50, Israeli occupying forces positioned in military locations in the vicinity of “Morag” settlement, north of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Musabbeh neighborhood, approximately 700m away. A Palestinian civilian, Baker Hamed Dhuhair, 18, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.

At approximately 21:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced by heavy military vehicles, including a bulldozer, moved into al-Brazil and al-Sha’er neighborhoods, adjacent to the Egyptian border south of Rafah. They raided 6 Palestinian houses and held residents of each in one room. They searched the houses and interrogated their residents about tunnels. Then, the bulldozer damaged water, electricity and telephone networks of the area.

In a continuation of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations officially adopted by the Israeli political and security establishments, on Tuesday morning, Israeli occupying forces committed a new assassination, which left dead Ahmed Fawzi ‘Abdul Latif Abu Doush, 25, from Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They went further and destroyed the house which Dura had evacuated earlier. The evacuated house had been home to 5 families who are now homeless. Israeli occupying forces claimed that they killed Abu Doush as he attempted to escape. They further claimed that they surrounded the house and called on members of an armed Palestinian cell, who were hiding inside the house to surrender. Israeli sources explained that an exchange of fire occurred, during which Abu Doush attempted to escape, but Israeli soldiers noticed him and shot him dead.

However, according to the investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:20, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces infiltrated into Sinjar neighborhood between Hebron and Dura village, using a Palestinian registered civilian car. 6-7 Israeli soldiers in civilian clothes and armed with machine guns, got out of the car. They moved through a dirt road towards the house of Ahmed Mahmoud Dayadh Nassar, the victim’s uncle, approximately 100m away from the main road. In the meantime, Ahmed Abu Doush, known as “Majed”, was leaving the house after a short visit. As soon as Israeli soldiers niticed him, they opened fire without warning from a distance of about 20meters. He was killed instantly by about 10 live bullets in the head, the neck and the chest. The victim was left on the ground until 12:00, when they removed the body to an unknown destination.

Soon, 2 tanks, 3 armored personnel carriers and a number of military jeeps and a helicopter of the Israeli occupying forces arrived at the area. Israeli forces used megaphones to call on residents of the 160-square-meter, 3-storey house to leave the premises with their hands raised in the air. Residents of the building cooperated with the order and left the building. Israeli soldiers moved the residents away from the house and, at approximately 13:00, the Israeli occupying forces planted explosives inside the house and destroyed it. The demolition left 18 people (5 families) homeless. PCHR’s field worker in Hebron reported that he saw an Israeli bulldozer searching for probable bodies of wanted Palestinians under the ruins of the house. Upon their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces arrested Khaled and Yousef Ahmed Nassar, 25 and 28 respectively. Israeli occupying forces claimed that Ahmed Abu Doush had been wanted for 2 years for being a member of Islamic Jihad.

Collective Punishment against Families of Wanted Palestinians and Those Who Have Carried out Armed Attacks against Israeli Targets

In violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, article 33 of which prohibits punishing any protected person for “an offence he or she has not personally committed,” Israeli forces took retaliatory measures against the families of Palestinians Israel alleges have ordered, facilitated, or carried out attacks against Israeli targets.

In the early hours on Thursday, 11 September 2003 Israeli occupying forces demolished 4 houses; 2 in Ramallah and 2 in Hebron. The houses were owned by the families of 4 Palestinian civilians who are allegedly wanted or detained by Israeli occupying forces.

According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ reports, at approximately 01:00, an Israeli force of 17 military jeeps and 2 military vans moved into the Um al-Sharayet area, south of Ramallah. They surrounded a 4-storey apartment building. Israeli soldiers ascended to the third floor and raided the apartment of Mohammad Abdul Rahman Salem Mislih, 27, who is being held in an Israeli detention. Mislih’s wife initially refused to leave the apartment but was forced to evacuate the premises after Israeli soldiers threatened to blow it up with her inside. Israeli soldiers then planted explosives in the 135-square-meter apartment and detonated them, destroying the apartment completely. Mislih is currently serving nine life sentences.

At approximately 03:45, an Israeli occupying force of 15 tanks, 1 armored personnel carrier and a military jeep, moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah. They surrounded the home of lawyer Na’eem Saleh ‘Abdullah al-Sharif, 57. After soldiers ordered the family out of the house through megaphones and an Israeli officer gave Sharif’s daughter 10 minutes to get her mother’s handbag and her father’s medication (he suffers from a chronic disease). Israeli soldiers then planted explosives in the house and blew it up, completely destroying it. Sharif, his wife and his daughter lived in the house (200-square-meter ground floor, 220-square-meter first floor). Israeli soldiers confiscated the ID cards of Sharif and his wife who are residents of occupied Jerusalem and hold Israeli ID cards. Israeli occupying forces claim that their son, ‘Imad, is wanted for being a member of the Hamas resistance movement.

The same morning, Israeli occupying forces blew up 2 apartments in a 4-storey building in Hebron. One apartment belonged to the family of the deceased Abdullah Abdul-Qader al-Qawasmi, 43, who was assassinated by an Israeli undercover unit on 21 June 2003, and the second belonged to his brother, Shafeeq, 56.

PCHR’s field workers reported that at approximately 02:00, an Israeli military force of 10 military jeeps, 2 armored personnel carriers and a military ambulance moved into al-Haras Street in the north of Hebron. They surrounded a 160-square-meter, 4-storey apartment building owned by Abdul Qader al-Qawasmi, 78, and his sons. According to al-Qawasmi’s son, ‘Omar, 40, Israeli occupying forces surrounded the building and forced the 53 residents, including 26 children, out of the building under threat of fire. The families were turned into the streets, unable to remove any of their furniture, clothing, personal belongings or documents. Israeli soldiers called on the residents (approximately 200, including a large number of children) of the neighboring buildings to evacuate and walk approximately 500 meters to the main street. Soldiers then planted explosives in the ground floor apartment which belonged to the deceased Abdullah al-Qawasmi and his 8-member family. They also planted explosives in the fourth floor apartment which belonged to Shafeeq al-Qawasmi and his 14-member family and at approximately 06:30, they detonated the explosives. The 2 apartments were totally destroyed and the second and third floors were severely damaged.

On the following day, 12 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a house belonging to the family of the deceased Mohammad Izziddin Misk, 27. Misk was killed on 9 September 2002, along with Ahmad Othman Bader, 22, when Israeli occupying forces shelled an apartment building in the Abu Katila neighborhood in the northwest of Hebron for 14 consecutive hours.

According to PCHR’s investigation, as well as eyewitness reports, at approximately 01:10 on 12 September 2003, an Israeli military force of 8 military jeeps and armored personnel carriers, accompanied by a military ambulance, surrounded the home of Khader Misk in al-Basas valley in western Hebron. Israeli forces raided the house, forcing the residents out and not allowing them to gather any belongings or furniture. They planted explosives in the house and at approximately 03:00, Israeli soldiers blew the house up, destroying it completely. The 250-square-meter house was home to 12 individuals.

PCHR’s fieldworker reported that on the morning of the above-mentioned day, Israeli occupying forces revealed to Othman Bader, 65, father of Ahmad Bader, their intentions to destroy his 220-square-meter, 3-storey home. Bader lived in the house with his extended family.

At 04:00 on Sunday morning, 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces blew up the house of Waleed Fares Shawahna, 60, in Seilat al-Harthiyah village, southwest of Jenin.

According to PCHR’s documentation and eyewitness reports, at 01:00, an Israeli military force of 10 military jeeps moved into Seilat al-Harthiyah village, southwest of Jenin. Israeli forces surrounded, raided and searched the house of Waleed Fares Shawahna, giving the family 10 minutes to evacuate the house. Israeli forces then planted explosives inside and around the house. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces blew the house up, destroying it completely. 14 people (3 families), including 5 children, lived in the 150-square-meter house. It is worth noting that Shawahna’s son, Bashar, 35, has been detained by Israeli forces for 3 weeks, accused of being a member of the Islamic Jihad. Shawahna has been detained on two other occasions during the Intifada, and had released from a 40-day detention before he was recently re-arrested.

On Wednesday morning, 17 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces blew up the house of Waleed Mahmoud ‘Aref Hussein in Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 01:00 on 17 September 2003, an Israeli military force of 15 vehicles, including tanks and jeeps, moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They surrounded Hussein’s home in al-Maslakh neighborhood. Israeli forces ordered the residents of the house to evacuate the building within 20 minutes and gather in front of the neighboring mosque. Israeli soldiers planted explosives in the house and at approximately 03:00, blew it up, destroying it completely. The 100-square-meter house was home to a family of seven. It is worth noting that one of Hussein’s sons, Mohammad, has been detained in Shatta prison inside Israel since the beginning of this year. Israeli forces claim that the detainee attempted to send suicide bombers into Israel on three occasions.

Israeli occupying forces continue to use detention as a means of collective punishment against the families of Palestinian detainees and activists and Palestinians who have been killed in the Intifada. In this context, on Thursday morning, 11 September 2003, Israeli forces arrested 4 relatives of Mohammad Jamal Yaghmour who was killed by Israeli fire during an attempt to capture him near his home in the west of Hebron 14 months ago.

According to PCHR’s investigations and a statement made by the sister of the deceased, around midnight, Israeli occupying forces raided the family’s home in Farsh al-Hawa neighborhood in northern Hebron. After conducting thorough searches, Israeli forces arrested her father, Jamal Hilmy Yaghmour, 48, her brother, Jalal, 18, her uncle, Kamal, 45, and her relative, ‘Eisa Mousa Yaghmour, 30, from Jordan. Israeli soldiers blindfolded and handcuffed them and took them away.

At 03:00 Israeli forces raided the home of the family of Rashad al-Ja’bari in al-Namrah neighborhood, east of Hebron. After conducting thorough searches, Israeli soldiers arrested Ja’bari’s son, Mohammad, 23, and took him to an unknown destination after blindfolding and handcuffing him. Mohammad, a fourth-year student in Hebron University is the brother of Mo’amar al-Ja’bari, 19, who was arrested by Israeli occupying forces 8 months ago.

On Monday morning, 15 September 2003, Israeli bulldozers began to level Palestinian lands in Sheikh Sa’ed, Sawahra and Wadi al-Nar areas, southeast of Jerusalem, in preparation for the construction of the wall. The families who own land in the area are: ‘Weisat, Mansour, Mashhour, Shqeirat and Mashahra. Palestinian civilians reported that Israeli forces uprooted approximately 2000 olive trees.

On the same day, the Department of Organization and Building of the Israeli “civil administration” issued a final warning to Khaled Mahmoud Mohammad Ahmad and Reyad Mohammad ‘Amer from Masha village in the northern West Bank district Salfit, stating plans to demolish 2 corrugated iron chicken pens. Ahmad owned the 420-square-meter pen and the other (250-square-meter) was owned by ‘Amer. They had both been warned a week prior to the demolition of the buildings and Israeli occupying forces claimed that they were too close to the separation wall. It is worth noting that approximately 4000 donums of the above-mentioned area has been confiscated for the purpose of the construction of the separation wall.

On that same day, Israeli occupying forces issued 2 military orders signed by the head of the Israeli military central command, confiscating 130 donums of land from Artah and Far’oun villages, surrounding the Taybeh checkpoint, south of Tulkarm in order to expand the section of the separation wall in that area. Israeli forces were to seize 80 dunums according to the first order and 50 according to the second order.

Israeli media sources revealed Israeli plans to build the separation wall from the area surrounding “Alkinah” settlement, east of Qalqilya in the north, to Hebron Mountain in the south. The wall is to extend from the aforementioned settlement to the area surrounding ‘Ofra camp southwest of Ramallah. Another sector of the wall extends from the south of Jerusalem to “Karme Ma’on” settlement, south of Hebron. There is an ongoing debate in Israel as to whether or not to include “Ariel” settlement in the northern West Bank, which lies 20km within Palestinian territory. If Ariel is not included, the Israeli settlements between the Green Line and the wall will be: Yaker, Rifafa, Ghinot Shomron, Kirny Shomron and Kadomim, which are close to Nablus. In the southern West Bank, the “Kfar Etzion” settlement bloc southwest of Bethlehem will also be included by the separation wall. As for “Efrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem, it is not yet certain if it will or will not be within the Israeli side of the wall. In the case of both “Efrat” and “Ariel” settlements, large portions of the Palestinian lands would have to be annexed with the settlements to Israel if the wall is to encompass them. Such plans are a reflection of the future of the Palestinian state in the eyes of the current Israeli government, which is proposing to return only 42% of the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority in order to establish a Palestinian state.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the OPTs, particularly in the West Bank, restricting movement of Palestinian civilians. On 7 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces imposed a comprehensive closure on the OPT and prevented all Palestinians from entering Israel

In the Gaza Strip, last week, Israeli occupying forces re-erected 2 observation towers at Abu Houli and al-Matahen junctions on Salah al-Din Street north of Khan Yunis. Salah al-Din Street is the main road between the northern and southern regions of the Gaza Strip. This reinstates the situation that was in place prior to 30 June 2003. In accordance with Palestinian-Israeli security negotiations concluded on 30 June 2003, Israeli occupying forces had redeployed from Salah al-Din Street and the 2 observation towers were moved 15-20m away from their original sites. Enforcing the 2 checkpoints allow Israeli occupying forces to retain complete control over Salah al-Din Street, partitioning the Gaza Strip into 3 isolated zones. Israeli occupying forces have also maintained the closure of the western road between Rafah and Khan Yunis; a section of Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip; Abu al-‘Ajin road between Wadi al-Salqa and al-Qarara villages, north of Khan Yunis; and a number of branch roads. In addition, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and al-Sayafa area in the north.

This week, Israeli occupying forces restricted movement of Palestinian civilians at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street. They open the checkpoints on stages, and only 5 vehicles are allowed to cross in each stage, so Palestinian vehicles are forced to wait in long lines. These measures are especially escalated in the morning and the afternoon, which are the periods that witness active movement of Palestinian civilians.

Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on al-Sayafa area in the northern Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of this school year, Israeli occupying forces have delayed opening the gates at entrances of the area, which makes access of school children to their schools on time impossible. For example, on Saturday, 13 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the area until 10:00, preventing school children from attending classes on that day. On Sunday, 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces totally closed the area, denying movement of Palestinian civilians out and into the area. In addition, large amount of guavas were damaged as Palestinian farmers were not able to transport their agricultural products to markets outside the area.

Israeli occupying forces have also restricted movement at border crossings of the Gaza Strip. They have closed Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for 2 weeks, denying access of thousands of Palestinian workers to their work places in Israel.

On 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Mentar crossing, the only commercial crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The crossing was reopened on the following day.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces continued to tighten their military siege on Palestinian communities. This week, they declared Ramallah a “closed military zone,” to prevent Palestinian civilians, Israeli peace activists and international delegations from reaching the town and expressing solidarity with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat against an Israeli Security Cabinet decision to deport him. Thousands of Palestinian patients, employees, school and university students were unable to go to hospitals, work places, schools and universities.

On Thursday, 11 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Qalandya checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem. They denied passage of all Palestinian civilians, including patients. On Sunday morning, 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces declared the Ramallah and al-Bireh district a closed military zone. Israeli soldiers at Qalandya checkpoint denied passage of Palestinian civilians. Israeli soldiers at ‘Atara checkpoint, north of Bir Zeit, also prohibited passage of Palestinian civilians, a measure that deprived residents of nearby villages and the northern West Bank town of access to Ramallah. At the same time, temporary checkpoints were erected near the villages of Bal’in, Kharabtha and Deir Ebzi’ on the main road leading to Ramallah.

Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoints of Hawara to the south, Deir Sharaf to the west and Beit Fourik to the east, continue to deny passage of Palestinian civilians into Nablus, with very few exceptions. Israeli soldiers allow teachers whose names are provided by the Israeli occupying forces in mysterious lists, medical personnel and very few of the sick to pass. On Tuesday evening, 16 September 2003, Israeli soldiers at Deir Sharaf checkpoint kept identity cards of dozens of Palestinian civilians, including women and old people, for no apparent reason.

This week, Israeli occupying forces closed the main road between ‘Anabta and Bala’a villages, east of Tulkarm, and denied access of Palestinian civilians to the town. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at Bala’a junction, while a number of military jeeps and an armored personnel carrier were positioned in the area. Israeli soldiers stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles. Israeli occupying forces have also continued to close al-Kafriyat road, south of the town. As a result of these measures, Palestinian civilians are forced to walk significant distances on dirt roads to reach the town.

On Sunday morning, 14 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the main road between the Qalqilya and other towns, near the entrance to ‘Azzoun village to the east. According to eyewitnesses, dozens of Israeli soldiers were positioned on the road and denied passage to Palestinian civilians. At noon, Israeli forces also closed the iron gates at the entrances to Qalqilya and ‘Azzoun village.

Israeli occupying forces erected military checkpoints at the main entrances to the town, restricting movement of Palestinian civilians from and into the town. Israeli soldiers at Tayasseer and al-Hamra checkpoints in the Jordan Valley have continued to restrict movement of Palestinian civilians who wish to travel to Jordan. On Tuesday morning, 15 September 2003, Israeli forces closed al-Buqai’a checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley.

1. Upon the international community to provide immediate and independent international protection for the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

2. Upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to reconvene to take effective measures to protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with their obligations under article 1 and article 146, to ensure respect for the Convention.

3. Upon the international community to investigate and prosecute before international courts those believed to have committed war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

4. Upon the ICRC to enhance its presence, expand its activities, and intensify its field operations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

5. Upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israeli Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights.

6. Upon the international community to provide humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinian people, whose living conditions are continuing to deteriorate as a result of the continued siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territories.

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893